Western Michigan University/KRPH in Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Helen Stewart Frays marker
August 2, 1905 to April 10, 1994
| | WMU Class of 1934 | |
Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 4, 2026
1. Helen Stewart Frays marker Marker
Helen Stewart Frays was a major benefactor of Western Michigan University and of the Kalamazoo community. During her lifetime and through her estate, she contributed significantly to WMU. After earning a bachelor's degree from WMU, Mrs. Frays was a public school teacher for six years and a social worker for 35 years. She maintained a life-long interest in education, social work, and her alma mater, Western Michigan University.
Her husband, Alvin W. Frays, who died in 1978, was an attorney and real estate developer. Mrs. Frays donated the land for Frays Park, in northwest Kalamazoo, which she asked to be named in honor of her late husband. Similarly, she asked no recognition for herself for her generous contributions to Western Michigan University, but asked instead that this clock tower be named in honor of her parents, Thomas and Mary Stewart.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1978.
Location. 42° 16.938′ N, 85° 36.866′ W. Marker is in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County. It is in Western Michigan University/KRPH. It
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Peter the Great 2.07Ό (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Western Michigan University (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kalamazoo State Hospital (approx. 0.7 miles away); Henderson Park West Main Hill Historic District (approx. 0.9 miles away); Edward Israel Arctic Pioneer (approx. 0.9 miles away); Stuart Neighborhood (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Stuart House (approx. 1.2 miles away); French-Allen House (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 4, 2026
2. Helen Stewart Frays marker Marker
Marker is beneath the clock tower on the left side.
Additional commentary.
1. Helen Steart Frays donation to Western Michigan University
According to a September 25, 1996 article in the Detroit Free Press, Helen Stewart Frays gave Western Michigan University its largest gift until that time $5.8 million. "Portions of the donation...will be used for the School of Social Work, a scholarship in the name of her late husband...and an unrestricted endowment."
— Submitted July 25, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 25, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
